Ryan Zimmerman

Ryan Zimmerman

On Strasburg, Politics and... Jazz Flute

Apart from playing a mean third base,Ryan Zimmermanthrows a mean
party.A Night at the Park, his August 9 benefit for MS research, will convert the best seats at
Nationals Park into a giant cocktail party. We caught up with him to discuss fans from Philly, Bull
Durham and the attention of female admirers.
UD: So you’ve been in DC for five years. Have you gotten political?
RZ: Not too much, to be honest, but I have become friendly with Senator [Byron] Dorgan and Congressman
[Michael] Burgess, who are also on A Night at the Park’s host committee. I would like to get involved more
on the Hill.
UD: You’re both a minor-league veteran and a Carolina native. So how accurate is Bull
Durham?
RZ: Haha. It’s perfect. I love that movie.

UD: What’s the craziest thing anyone’s ever asked you to sign? RZ: Chests are
the craziest... bar none. It’s just weird with people watching.

UD: Ha. What’s your go-to neighborhood? How do you spend your days off?
RZ: My favorite neighborhood is definitely Arlington, with Georgetown a close second. I have a bunch of
friends in the area, and there’s a ton to do.

UD: How often are you recognized around town?
RZ: A good bit, I guess. I usually hit up the same spots after games, so I run into the same people
often.

UD: Which spots?RZ: Capital Grille and Liberty Tavern about sums it up.

UD: You stood on the mound with President Obama this year before he threw out the first pitch. What
was your advice?
RZ: I told him not to be nervous and hit the mitt.

UD: Speaking of hitting the mitt, when’s the last time you took your hacks against a Strasburg
fastball?
RZ: I’ve actually never faced him in a live setting. Luckily we’re on the same team.
UD: Not even in spring training?RZ: Nope, they didn’t let the starters face him. Didn’t
want to hurt our confidence.

UD: Of course. Who’s the snappiest dresser on the Nats?RZ: Guzman for sure—white
suits all the time.

UD: Classic. So now you’re a party planner. How’d the event come about?RZ: My
family and I started the ziMS Foundation in 2006 to find a cure and raise awareness for multiple sclerosis.
My mother was diagnosed with MS when I was a kid. [So] on the 9th, we’re essentially turning the stadium
into a mini-amphitheater, with a custom stage being built over the President’s Club seats. David Blaine,
the magician, is also going to be working the room.
UD: Nice. Last question: what’s your least favorite road city?
RZ: Philly is tough. I think their fans in all their sports are pretty intense. I’d put that one at the
top.
UD: They’ll be pleased to read that as they come to town tonight.